‘Boring’ Campaign Is Blamed on Vera

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

      An election campaign that is not likely to be long remembered skidded to an official halt this morning when the polls opened across Culver City.
      Will Vice Mayor Gary Silbiger, Planning Commissioner Scott Malsin or newcomer Mehaul O’Leary be smiling brightest tonight at the end of the vote  count?
      While residents are deciding which two of the three City Council contenders deserve their support, and whether the City Charter warrants changing, pundits were recovering their voices.
      “Boring campaign,” one oldtimer said.

Why He Favors Malsin

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     I am supporting Scott Malsin for City Council in Tuesday’s election. Scott has consistently demonstrated his ability to get things done and not just hope others will do something in the future.
     He is a staunch supporter of homeowner’s rights, and he proved it when he revitalized his neighborhood group.
     He is able to balance the needs of both business and homeowner, and he is proving it during his tenure on the Planning Commission.

     He has consistently taken on the difficult jobs and seen them through to good conclusions, and he proved it during his tenure as Fiesta Chair, to name just one example. 

     He is the right person to represent us on City Council right now.
     I urge you to vote for Scott Malsin on Tuesday.
 
Alan Corlin, Culver City
 Mr. Corlin is a member of the City Council.
 

The Downside of Measure V

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      I want to tell you why I am opposed Measure V, the misguided Charter Reform proposition on Tuesday’s ballot.
      I don’t believe the system is broken and needs to be changed, as some people claim. Actually, the problem is the ineptness of the people who are running the system., namely the City Council. The Council has failed in its duty to operate within the guidelines of the Charter. For that reason, they want to change it, which will give them more time to get their act together.
      The Council has failed in any way they needed to justify changing our City Charter.
      I can’t read their minds. I don’t know why they think it should be changed. The Council appointed the Charter Review Committee with instructions to look at the Charter and bring it up to date.

Here’s What Elevates O’Leary

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      I am a proud resident of Culver City, and a past President and member of the Board of Directors of The Classics at Heritage Park Homeowners Assn. (2000-2005). I write to state the unequivocal support of my family — my wife Kim and children Dylan and Kate  — and of many members of my  Association for the election of Mehaul O’Leary to the City Council on Tuesday.
      Like many who have previously served ably on our Council, Mehaul’s business acumen, articulateness, pragmatism and ability to lead and consensus-build would, alone, make him a fine addition.

Silbiger Has the Answers

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

[Editor’s Note: In the interest of gaining deeper insights into the reasoning processes of the three candidates for the two City Council seats in Tuesday’s election, thefrontpageonline.com posed a list of probing questions to each contender. The questions required detailed, thoughtful answers. As you will see in this edition of The Page, every candidate took his responsibility seriously, reflecting at length. Vice Mayor Gary Silbiger not only is the lone incumbent in the race, he may hold a second perceived advantage: As a Progressive, during the past four years, he has attracted a standing army of loyalists who make him the strongest favorite on Election Day. With the end of the race at hand, Mr. Silbiger and his wife say they feel “exhilerated.”]

O’Leary Has the Answers

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     [Editor’s Note: In the interest of gaining deeper insights into the reasoning processes of the three candidates for the two City Council seats in Tuesday’s election, the frontpageonline.com posed a list of probing questions to each contender. The questions required thoughtful, detailed responses. A native of Ireland and a newlywed, first-time candidate Mehaul O’Leary has developed a reputation for speaking out, sometimes unpredictably, in a campaign that otherwise has been run cautiously, formfully. No one has pulled away from the field, and no one has fallen off the pace. Mr. O’Leary said he is “optimistic” going into Election Day.]

Malsin Has the Answers

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[Editor’s Note:In the interest of gaining deeper insights into the reasoning processes of the three candidates for the two City Council seats in Tuesday’s election, the frontpageonline.com posed a list of probing questions to  each contender. The questions required thoughtful, detailed responses. “Textbook” may best describe Planning Commissioner Scott Malsin, who seeks to blend an erudite approach with political instincts learned from many years of concentrated neighborhood activism. Known for his thorough preparation and detailed analysis, he may bring the lengthiest community service resume to the campaign.]    

Experience Recommends Malsin

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     I am writing to encourage all of you to vote for Scott Malsin for City Council on Tuesday, April 11. Scott has consistently shown his dedication to our city, with five years on the Planning Commission, as 2003 co-chair of the Fiesta La Ballona, organizer of many local neighborhood activities, and multiple other roles dating back more than ten years. He is intelligent and creative, and he works very hard on city business. 
 
     My personal experiences of working with Scott demonstrate that he has the ability to apply his leadership and problem-solving skills in finding workable solutions to the city’s challenges. 
For example, as a private citizen working with Planning Commissioner Malsin on a matter of concern to our neighborhood, I found that Scott was ready and willing to help find a solution that worked not only for our neighborhood, but also for the city as a whole. 

Is Ground Shaking Under Fulwood?

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

      Is the status of Jerry Fulwood, the Chief Administrative Officer of the city, in jeopardy if Charter Reform, Measure V, passes next week?
      Could City Hall be shopping for a replacement for Mr. Fulwood, a supporter of Measure V, if V wins?
      The answer is not clear, according to City Councilperson Carol Gross.
      That struck some city fathers — two City Council members and the chair of the Charter Review Committee — as an amazing assertion on the eve of the election.
Ninety-six hours before Culver City voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether they want to change to a city manager-style of government, Ms. Gross said no contingency plan is in place if the voters answer yes.

What Separates the Candidates?

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

      As voters continue to search for distinctions among the three candidates for two City Council seats — reasons to support them — they had one final chance yesterday morning in a very low-key setting at the Senior Center.
      The way the candidates responded to one  unanticipated question may help at least that audience to sort out which contenders it will back on Election Day next Tuesday.
      A woman complained that Culver City has done a poor job of making voting accessible for handicapped persons. “The County and state have audio machines to aid blind voters,” she said. “Culver City doesn’t.” Saying that the Help America Vote Act requires such machines as of this year, she wanted to know what the candidates will do about it.